Cosmetic sampler

Abstract

A cosmetic sampler comprising an elongated base formed from a sheet with a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion has an applicator portion and a discard portion separable from the applicator portion. The discard portion has a first hinge therethrough at a midpoint thereof and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the base and a second hinge therethrough where the top portion connects to the bottom portion. There is a cosmetic product disposed on a part of the applicator portion and a transparent protective layer disposed over the top portion of the base. An adhesive attaches the protective layer to the base, covering the discard layer above the first hinge and only partially covering the discard layer between the first hinge and the second hinge, so that the protective layer is easily lifted off of the base below the first hinge. In use, the protective layer is lifted off of the base, causing the discard portion to separate from the applicator portion and bend at the hinges to reveal the cosmetic product for application. The discard portion can then be torn off of the sampler, taking the protective layer with it and leaving a stiff, elongated applicator with the cosmetic disposed thereon.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A cosmetic sampler comprising: an elongated base formed from a sheet of stiff material, said base having a top portion, a bottom portion connected to the top portion and a longitudinal axis, said top portion having an applicator portion and a discard portion separable from said applicator portion, said discard portion having a first hinge therethrough at a midpoint thereof and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the base and a second hinge therethrough where the top portion connects to the bottom portion;   a cosmetic product disposed on said applicator portion; and   a transparent protective layer disposed over said top portion of said base, said protective layer being raised over said cosmetic product so as not to touch said cosmetic product; and   an adhesive attaching said protective layer to said base, said adhesive covering said discard layer above said first hinge and only partially covering said discard layer between the first hinge and the second hinge, so that the protective layer is easily lifted off of the base below the first hinge,   wherein lifting the protective layer off of the base causes the discard portion to separate from the applicator portion and bend at the hinges to reveal the cosmetic product for application.   
     
     
       2. The cosmetic sampler according to claim 1, wherein the base is made of paperboard. 
     
     
       3. The cosmetic sampler according to claim 1, wherein the discard portion and applicator portion are separated by a score in the base material. 
     
     
       4. The cosmetic sampler according to claim 1, wherein the hinges are scores in the base material. 
     
     
       5. The cosmetic sampler according to claim 1, wherein the protective layer is made of plastic and wherein the protective layer has a dome-shaped portion disposed over the cosmetic product. 
     
     
       6. The cosmetic sampler according to claim 1, wherein the protective layer has a tab extending toward the bottom portion of the base, said tab being not adhered to the base and wherein pulling the tab lifts the protective layer off of the base. 
     
     
       7. The cosmetic sampler according to claim 2, wherein the paperboard is coated with a foil. 
     
     
       8. The cosmetic sampler according to claim 2, wherein the base is connected to other bases on a single sheet and separated by the other bases by a score. 
     
     
       9. The cosmetic sampler according to claim 1, wherein the cosmetic product is lipstick. 
     
     
       10. The cosmetic sampler according to claim 1, wherein the cosmetic product is eye shadow. 
     
     
       11. The cosmetic sampler according to claim 1, wherein the cosmetic product is pressed powder. 
     
     
       12. The cosmetic sampler according to claim 3, wherein the score is substantially U-shaped. 
     
     
       13. The cosmetic sampler according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive is further disposed in a line perpendicular to the longitudinal axis above the second hinge.